Chicago's extensive Museum of Science and Industry pays tribute to the city's innovative roots, showcasing more than 35,000 artifacts and offering a variety of hands-on exhibits meant to inspire creativity. The museum resides in the 14-acre former Palace of Fine Arts, which hosted the famous World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) in 1893. The fair brought together some of the world's greatest scientific minds, including Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, who at the time were competeing to prove which type of electricity — direct current or alternating current — was more effective.

You can learn more about the "war of the currents" and a variety of other topics inside the museum. Displays here cater to all types of curious minds: Enjoy a tour of the only U-505 German submarine captured during World War II, explore distant stars and planets at the Henry Crown Space Center, and learn how to make a frog's eyes glow at the Genetics Exhibit. The Museum of Science and Industry also features an Omnimax Theater and hosts a variety of live demonstrations.

Located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago's South Side (a short walk from the Milwaukee District North Line's 59th Street Metra rail station), the Museum of Science and Industry is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $18 for adults and $11 for children ages 3 to 11, though if you've purchased a Go Chicago Card or a Chicago CityPASS, your entrance fee will be covered. Access to special exhibits and the Omnimax Theater will cost extra. To learn more, visit the Museum of Science and Industry website.